MIDRAND, South Africa – Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu announced Thursday he will consult communities nationwide over forming a new political party, while maintaining his MK membership and wearing the party’s cap at his Midrand press briefing.

Shivambu’s decision comes two weeks after he was removed as MK party secretary-general. Speaking about the reasons for his removal, Shivambu said he was accused of wanting to overthrow the party’s leader and founder, Jacob Zuma.

Shivambu claimed he was also accused of accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear. This was done through two fake intelligence reports, he said.

The announcement marks another dramatic shift in South Africa’s fluid political landscape ahead of 2026 local elections. Shivambu will consult traditional leaders, church leaders and prominent business figures over coming months, all while remaining a member of the official opposition party.

“I have not resigned from uMkhonto weSizwe. I will never resign from uMkhonto weSizwe,” Shivambu said at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel briefing. He criticised the EFF’s leadership, calling it a “cult”, and said its internal culture was no longer aligned with democratic principles.

Shivambu was appointed as secretary-general in November 2024 as the MK party prepared to mark its first anniversary in December. Shivambu’s sacking as secretary-general was announced by the party on Tuesday, 3 June, just over nine months after he left his position as deputy president of the EFF, the party he formed with Julius Malema, to join MK.

His Easter Weekend visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri’s church in Malawi marked the beginning of the end of his tenure as uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party secretary-general, but his refusal to back down on the matter sealed his fate. The MK party said he undertook the visit in his personal capacity, without the mandate or knowledge of the party. Shivambu could have apologised. Instead, he doubled down.

During Thursday’s briefing, Shivambu maintained his respect for Zuma. “I learned more as an MK member than when I was deputy president of the EFF,” he said. He accused unnamed MK officials of stealing R7-million monthly from party funds.

The former secretary-general said Muslim community leaders refused party funding on condition they remove him for attending Bushiri’s church, where the Israeli flag was displayed.

Shivambu said consultations are already underway on the ground, with a focus on engaging communities and the youth. An interim leadership structure for the consultation process will be announced next week.

“That movement will be a true representative of the people of South Africa – and not a personal project, and not a group of friends project, not a cult – and not a fiefdom,” Shivambu told journalists.

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji dismissed Shivambu as “a small boy” who lacks support, stating the ANC does not need him in its ranks. “We are happy Msholozi finally heard us,” said a senior MK leader in KwaZulu-Natal, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This man was causing serious discord in the ranks.”

Sources stated that this movement aims to serve as a unifying vehicle for South Africans, emphasising the need for collaboration among different groups to advocate for their collective interests. Another insider told IOL that the party will consist of some of the MKP, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) members.

The MK Party distanced itself from Shivambu’s briefing, with spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela confirming it was not sanctioned by the party. MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlhela said on Monday that Shivambu’s Malawi trip was inconsistent with the party’s policies, and “the appropriate action was taken”.

Shivambu’s political journey has been marked by frequent realignments. He was expelled from the ANC under Zuma’s leadership before co-founding the EFF with Julius Malema in 2013. His move to MK in August 2024 was hailed as the “best political decision” he had made.

Within weeks after he joined, he was parachuted into the roles of national organiser and eventually secretary-general. Discontent quickly surfaced in the party’s leadership ranks. Two MK high command members said Shivambu’s strained relationship with Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and MK deputy president John Hlophe could make his integration into the caucus difficult.

Shivambu said he would not resign unless expelled by MK. “If the party feels that consulting citizens is a cause for termination of membership, then be it. I won’t beg for political membership,” Shivambu said.